The craboo or nance is a large shrub
or small tree that is well known and enjoyed
in Belize. The tree produces a fruit
that the local children and adults love.

Once ripe, the craboo drops to the
ground. The fruit is peculiarly odorous,
orange-yellow, round, 8 to 12 centimeters
wide, with a thin skin and white,
juicy, oily pulp varying in flavor from
bland to sweet, acid, or cheese-like. Even
though it has an offensive odor, the fruits
are eaten with rice, in soups, in tamales
and as preserves. The craboo wood has
a very pleasant odor which some people
use for smoking meats. Bark infusions
are said to help cure diarrhea and gum
disease. Belizeans use the bark infusion
as an antidote for snakebite. Whatever
its name, it is both prolific and popular in
Belize.

Children and adults alike like to
smash the fruit and mix it with evaporated
milk for a desert. But one special
treat made with the craboo is when it is
stewed. The stew craboo may have a
peculiar smell, but apart from that it is
equally yummy and scrumptious. The
process of making the stew craboo may
be time consuming, but the end result
makes a perfect snack.

In a pot, rinse and wash fruit properly
and add ingredients; sugar, water, spice
seed and cinnamon. Place on medium
heat and leave to simmer until mixture
turns syrupy and the fruit brown. You
can add more water and sugar to its contents
and longer on the heat, which is usually
the best thing. Let it cool and the
serve. This stewed craboo and countless
more can also be bought in San Pedro at
Antojitos Letty’s on Pescador Drive.